CHEd urges regional, provincial offices to help typhoon-affected students

The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) has ordered its regional and provincial offices to extend assistance to the students affected by super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan).

“We urge all the concerned CHEd offices and higher education institutions (HEIs) to alleviate the condition of affected students by extending any form of assistance to the students,” CHEd Chairperson Patricia Licuanan said in her order issued on Wednesday.

“The admission, for humanitarian reasons, of all affected student enrollees and transferees who are unable to present proper academic records due to disruption of HEI operations pending the resumption of their regular operations and proper processing of documents,” Licuanan’s order said.

She appealed both private and public colleges and universities and other stakeholders to provide food, water and temporary accommodation; counselling services; waiver of tuition and other fees or grants-in-aid to the affected students.

She said the Commission’s Office of Student Services will also provide financial assistance, counselling services and accommodations in appropriate cases.

CHEd has closed public and private higher education institutions in Leyte and nearby areas that severely affected by one of the strongest typhoons in recorded history.

Licuanan said that classes in the affected areas should resume by next year.